Chargeback reason codes
Mastercard chargeback reason codes: what each one means and how to win
Checked
Mastercard sorts chargebacks into four categories: Authorization-related (4808), Cardholder Dispute (4853), Fraud (4837, 4870, 4871, 4849) and Point-of-Interaction Error (4834), plus 4999 for domestic disputes in Europe. Older codes such as 4831, 4841, 4855, 4860 and 4863 were folded into these. The acquirer has 45 days for a second presentment. Pick a code for its evidence checklist.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 4837 | The cardholder says they did not authorize the purchase. Mastercard's main fraud chargeback. |
| 4853 | The umbrella cardholder dispute: not received, not as described, refund missing, cancelled subscription. |
| 4808 | A required authorization was missing, expired or declined, or the charge cleared too late. |
| 4834 | A processing error at the point of sale: charged twice, wrong amount, currency conversion or surcharge. |
| 4870 | A counterfeit copy of a chip card was used at a terminal that did not read the chip. |
| 4871 | A lost, stolen or never-received PIN chip card was used at a terminal that could not take a PIN. |
| 4849 | Mastercard listed the merchant in its Questionable Merchant Audit Program or confirmed coercion. |
| 4999 | A domestic chargeback allowed by local rules in Europe that fits no other code. |
| 4855 | Legacy "goods or services not provided" code; the claim now sits under 4853 Cardholder Dispute. |
| 4860 | Legacy "credit not processed" code; the claim now sits under 4853 Cardholder Dispute. |
| 4841 | Legacy code for cancelled recurring billing or digital goods; now under 4853. |
| 4831 | Legacy "transaction amount differs" code; now a 4834 Point-of-Interaction Error claim. |
| 4863 | Legacy code: the cardholder does not recognize the transaction and suspects fraud. |
Legacy codes you may still see
Mastercard's current Chargeback Guide no longer lists 4831, 4840, 4841, 4842, 4846, 4855, 4860 or 4863, and mentions 4807 and 4812 only as codes that will eventually be eliminated. Stripe still shows several of them on disputes and labels 4840 "bad code – needs investigation". Their claims now sit under 4808, 4834 and 4853.
Ethoca alerts
Ethoca Alerts is a Mastercard product: when a cardholder complains to their bank, the issuer can send an alert so the merchant stops the shipment or refunds before a formal chargeback. Ethoca Consumer Clarity shows purchase details in the cardholder's banking app.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a Mastercard issuer have to file?
- 120 days for most fraud and cardholder dispute claims, 90 days for 4808 and for duplicate or wrong-amount claims under 4834, with longer limits for some delivery and service cases.
- What is a second presentment?
- The merchant's answer to a Mastercard chargeback, sent by the acquirer within 45 days with the evidence.
Sources
- Chargeback Guide — Merchant Edition (13 May 2025) — Mastercard
- Chargebacks Made Simple Guide (July 2025) — Mastercard
- Ethoca Alerts — Mastercard
- Dispute categories and network reason codes — Stripe